Pacific Palisades

Pacific Palisades was originally a collection of several large plots of land during the early 1900s. These plots of land were located within two Mexican land grants; the Rancho Boca de Santa Monica and the Rancho San Vicente y Santa Monica. The area was eventually purchased by Rev. Charles H. Scott and the Southern California Methodist Episcopal Church. It was given the name Pacific Palisades by Dr. Merle Smith, a member of the First Methodist Church of Pasadena. During the community’s early beginnings, most of the Methodist missionaries lived in tents, which were later on replaced by cabins and bungalows, and finally by the luxurious homes that exist today.

Predominantly a residential area, real estate options here are very diverse – buyers can select from comfortable cottages, spacious single-family homes on expansive lots, a variety of luxury condominiums, townhomes and apartments. The area is home to a vibrant business district known as The Village, which features boutiques, restaurants, cafés, specialty stores, and several banks and offices. The Village also hosts a weekly farmers’ market, as well as several local events and activities. For outdoor lovers, the area offers plenty of opportunities to soak in the picturesque views. In addition to spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Palisades also boasts scenic parklands and a network of hiking trails.

Today, the affluent neighborhood is one of the most sought-after luxury communities in the entire US. In addition to some of the most impressive multi-million dollar homes in the country, Pacific Palisades boasts upscale shopping centers, scenic parks and hiking trails, and breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Here, residents enjoy the best of both worlds – a relaxing and secluded oceanfront location conveniently located close to all the modern amenities and incredible attractions and destinations of the big city.

Recreation, nightlife, shopping and dining in Pacific Palisades

Temescal Gateway Park is an excellent destination for outdoor enthusiasts. There’s a 4.4-mile loop perfect for hiking, where visitors will be treated to picturesque views of the coastline.

Visit the Getty Villa, a museum and educational center with an extensive collection of over 44,000 Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities.

The nearby Brentwood Country Mart is a 30,000-square-foot shopping center with a fantastic variety of shops and restaurants. Unlike most mega-shopping centers and stores, this unique shopping venue features a cozier atmosphere, where everything feels familiar.

Pearl Dragon is a restaurant that serves some of the finest Asian cuisine in California. Dishes here are prepared using the freshest organic ingredients such as grain-fed hormone-free natural beef, organic free range chicken, and ocean-fresh seafood.

Maison-Giraud is a French restaurant known for serving authentic three-star quality food at very affordable prices. Adjacent to the restaurant is a bakery where you can sample delicious, expertly made croissants.

Although there are no nightlife venues within Pacific Palisades, residents can visit nearby Santa Monica, which is home to many vibrant nightclubs and lounges such as Zanzibar, The Beach Club, Suite 700, SHOREbar, and more.

Pacific Palisades Neighborhoods

In addition to lovely views of the ocean, Pacific Palisades features an array of neighborhoods, each boasting distinct chart and character, and can fit any type of lifestyle. Some of the neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades include:

The Alphabet Streets

The Via Mesa

The Huntington Palisades

The El Medio Mesa

Marquez & Marquez Knolls

Castellammare

Palisades Highlands

Rustic Canyon

The Riviera

Sunset Mesa

Sunset Mesa (including Pacific View Estates) is a coastal community perched on a series of bluffs overlooking the breathtaking Pacific Ocean. The views of the ocean from many of the homes are stunning. This community marks the end of Pacific Palisades and the beginning of Malibu. They both share a well-known neighbor, The Getty Villa.

The neighborhood is very ideal for raising a family, as there are many excellent public schools close to the area managed by the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District on the Sunset Mesa side, and LAUSD on the Pacific View Estates side.

Castellammare

The Castellammare area is known for having one of the largest selections of ocean view homes in Pacific Palisades. Many properties in the neighborhood are built on gently sloping hillsides, offering sweeping views of the Santa Monica coastline and the Pacific Ocean.

Huntington Palisades

In addition to marvelous ocean views, the Huntington Palisades neighborhood offers residents very easy access to the beach. Homes here are very spacious, and most of them are built on oversized lots.

Paseo Miramar

The Paseo Miramar community features lovely tree-lined streets and luxurious estates on gentle hillsides that offer breathtaking views of the ocean. The homes in this neighborhood are some of the most sought-after properties in the area because of the very secluded and view-oriented location.

Palisades Highlands

One of the newer communities in Pacific Palisades, Palisades Highlands is an affluent neighborhood nestled on the hills above Sunset Boulevard. This area is one of the few communities in Pacific Palisades that feature single-family homes and townhomes.

This neighborhood is a very enjoyable place to live in, with its majestic mountain and serene ocean views. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the wonders of nature, as the neighborhood boasts easy access to several trailheads located in the scenic Topanga State Park. There are also plenty of great activities to enjoy in the area; hiking, rock climbing, bird watching, cycling, running, tennis and swimming. Additionally, residents enjoy two neighborhood shopping areas that provide great restaurants, local shops and a great sense of community.

Marquez and Marquez Knolls

Marquez and Marquez Knolls is a family-friendly neighborhood located at the heart of Pacific Palisades, just a few minutes north of the famous Sunset Boulevard. The community is located on a mountain upslope of the Temescal Canyon, providing residents with picture-perfect views of the ocean.

Many families are drawn to this area because of its superb location – Marquez Elementary School, Palisades High School, and The Village of Pacific Palisades is located close to the neighborhood.

The area is one of the more affordable areas around Pacific Palisades as well. Most homes are single-story homes built in the 1950s, many of them featuring incredible ocean views.

Pacific Palisades Luxury Homes and Real Estate

Many neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades offer stunning ocean and mountain views and are steps away from glorious sun-soaked beaches. These properties offer the best of coastal living, with sun-filled interiors and outdoor features such as expansive sundecks, covered patios, al fresco dining spaces, and much more.

Homes in the area feature a wide variety of architectural styles including traditional, contemporary, Mediterranean, Cape Cod, Tudor, and more. Though most of the homes are single-family type properties on spacious lots, there are several luxury condo developments available in the area as well. Prospective buyers looking for an ideal home in Pacific Palisades, can choose from a fine selection of beautiful properties with exceptional features and amenities. Buyers looking forward to a luxurious lifestyle will have no shortage of first-class features to choose from.